Beet Performer Cliff Notes?

Coach Rich

So I'm staring a 12 pack of Beet Performer that just landed on my doorstep. What are the clifnotes for using this? How much to drink, when before training, etc?

Will try it out next week after my IMChat camp this weekend

Mariah Bridges

Triathletes: http://beetperformer.com/science/#athletic-performance

While many athletes drink 1 can of Beet Performer every day as part of their training regimen, you may want to start by drinking 1 can of Beet Performer each day for the seven days prior to your race. Then, drink another can 2-3 hours before your race… some people consume 2 cans to maximize the benefits.


Beets contain high levels of naturally occurring nitrates. When consumed, a chain reaction occurs in the body that converts these nitrates into nitric oxide (NO) – a molecule that improves oxygen and blood flow throughout the body.
Nitric oxide has two major effects on an athlete. The first is that it causes blood vessels to dilate, enhancing blood and oxygen flow throughout the brain, heart, and muscles. At the same time, it makes the mitochondria more efficient so they are able to create the same energy while consuming less oxygen. This is a powerful combination that helps the body extend endurance and improve intensity levels during exercise.

have more info if you need it and Coach Patrick has tidbits on it also

Gabe Peterson

I've been using BeetElite powder (easier for me to choke down). I usually do one dose / scoop during regular training. About 2-3 days before I race, I start doubling up including the morning of the race.

Mark Cardinale's approach of an additional dose at the start of the IM run is something I'm interested in experimenting with, but wouldn't try it for the first time in a race.



I'll be interested to see if you notice a difference...

Rich Stanbaugh

I ask do Beet Elite. Just arrived in Mont Tremblant. Will do one tonight and three per day. Through Saturday. Will have one with breakfast and sip one before race.

I don't gulp it. It is the reaction of the nitrates with saliva that produces NO, so I give it time to react.

Coach Rich

Posted By Gabe Peterson on 12 Aug 2015 05:14 PM

I've been using BeetElite powder (easier for me to choke down). I usually do one dose / scoop during regular training. About 2-3 days before I race, I start doubling up including the morning of the race.

Mark Cardinale's approach of an additional dose at the start of the IM run is something I'm interested in experimenting with, but wouldn't try it for the first time in a race.



I'll be interested to see if you notice a difference...

Ok, thanks. Plan now is to drink a can a day across next week then see what happens on my long ride on Saturday, and my long run on Thursday I suppose. 

Mark Cardinale

Hey Rich, do 1 can per day each day starting 5-6 days prior to the race.  Have one can about 15min before your swim on race day.  As gabe stated for IM i keep an additional can in my T2 go-bag and have it around the first aid station on the run.  The reason for the 2nd can on race day is because the effects of beet juice (assuming you are responder) wear off after 6-8hours so i do the 2nd can to kick things back in.  Does it work?  Tough to say, but it has become part of my race day routine and i don't think it does me any harm, other than make for a very disturbing post race pee!!!

Peter Noyes

Whats the difference between this stuff and plain old beet juice at whole foods?

morpheus

Peter- It's my understanding that the biggest difference in these products is convenience and, most importantly, concentration. In the little bit of research that I've done, it takes a few beets to get the dose that the study says is beneficial. These companies are putting a more concentrated dose of the beets, along with other perks/boosts, in one can so we don't have to drink 1 liter of beet juice every morning to get the desired effect. I could be wrong, but that's what I gathered.

Tony Puckett

So one can get the benefits of beet juice with a regimen of one can per day one week before the race and an extra can on the morning of a HIM? Sounds better for my taste buds than my plan of drinking one glass of the Beet Elite powder for the month before the race. Thanks.

morpheus

Tony- One goal is to get the daily 'health' benefit from beets. One goal is to get a physiological boost right before the race. I do the beets thing on most days, for the health side of it. And, I think, b/c of that, I do not get the 'boost' on the day of a big workout or race. But, the other side of that coin, is that I am confident that my wko's have been better, consistently, than in the past. So, there's a 'boost' in that sense.

Maybe, I'll stop the beets for a couple of weeks and try the one week protocol, as mentioned above, and see if that resets the system and gives me a great BTD or Race Rehearsal. Then, I'll take that feed back and apply it to my final weeks leading into an OCT 10th HIM.

Rich sounds like a beets newbie so his feedback after next week will be interesting to hear.

Tony Puckett

Chris: I think I will try the beet 7-day regimen before my next race rehearsal. I have the beet elite powder and remember to drink it a couple of times a week during the season. That is not really regular enough to get the benefit for work outs, I do not think. I have a hard time remembering to have my beet juice every evening. I am doing the Redman HIM on 9-26-15. I will report on how the 7-day regimen worked out for me.

Coach Rich

Just drank my first can...

ACKKK!!!!!

Planning to do a 112mi TT on Saturday and this is also a high volume week for me, shooting for 50-55mi running. So...we'll see. 

morpheus

It's an acquired taste ;-)

The better your workout goes this weekend goes, the quicker the acquisition of said taste.

If the weekend shows no difference? The crappy taste will stick to the roof of your mouth for a few days.